ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves Seven Multi-tracking Projects totalling 2339 Kms. across Indian Railways, amounting to around Rs 32,500 crore
To increase the existing line capacity, smoothen train operations, reduce congestion and facilitate ease of travelling and transportation
Projects will generate direct employment for about 7.06 crore man-days during construction
Capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 200 MTPA
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today approved Seven projects of Ministry of Railways with estimated cost of around Rs.32,500 Crore, with 100% funding from Central Government. The proposals of Multi-tracking will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways.
The projects covering 35 Districts in 9 States i.e. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 2339 Kms. and will provide employment of 7.06 crore man-days to the people of the states.
The projects include:
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S.No.
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Name of the Project
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Nature of the Project
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1
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Gorakhpur-Cantt-Valmiki Nagar
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Doubling of existing line
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2
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Son Nagar-Andal Multi tracking Project
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Multi Tracking
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3
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Nergundi-Barang and Khurda Road-Vizianagaram
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3rd Line
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4
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Mudkhed-Medchal and Mahbubnagar-Dhone
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Doubling of the existing line
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5
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Guntur-Bibinagar
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Doubling of the existing line
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6
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Chopan-Chunar
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Doubling of existing line
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7
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Samakhiali-Gandhidham
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Quadrupling
These are essential routes for transportation of varied basket of commodities such as foodgrains, fertilizers, coal, cement, fly-ash, iron and finished steel, clinkers, crude oil, lime stone, edible oil etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 200 MTPA . The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and for reducing logistics cost of the country.
The projects are in line with Prime Minister’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by creating Multi-tasking work force in the region and will enhance their employment/self employment opportunities.
The projects are result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-model connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Eleven teams of Indo-US scientists selected to jointly scout for COVID 19 solutions
Eleven teams of Indian and US scientists will soon start jointly scouting for out of the box solutions ranging from novel early diagnostic tests, antiviral therapy, drug repurposing, ventilator research, disinfection machines, and sensor-based symptom tracking for COVID 19.
The teams have been selected to take up these initiatives through a rigorous binational review process of proposals received for an invitation under COVID-19 Ignition Grants in April 2020 issued by the U.S.-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund .
The USISTEF announced the awards to eleven bilateral teams proposing out-of-the-box, innovative ideas to address the COVID-19 challenge. The USISTEF has been established by the Government of India  and the governments of the United States of America  for the promotion of joint activities that would lead to innovation and entrepreneurship through the application of science and technology.
The joint U.S.-India S&T based entrepreneurial teams will work on initiatives that address the development and implementation of new technologies, tools, and systems to address COVID-19 related challenges including monitoring, diagnosis, health and safety, public outreach, information and communication.
As countries battle the COVID-19 pandemic, innovations in Science, Engineering, and Technology will play a critical role in finding solutions to this global challenge through the development of new vaccines, devices, diagnostic tools, and information systems, as well as strategies to help communities and nations manage and deploy resources to combat this pandemic.
In keeping with its’ mission and vision, the USISTEF announced the Call for Proposals under the category of COVID-19 Ignition Grants with the intent to support promising joint U.S.-India S&T based entrepreneurial initiatives to address the COVID-19 challenge.
The mission of the United States–India Science & Technology Endowment Fund is to support and foster joint applied R&D to generate public good through the commercialization of technology developed through partnerships between U.S. and Indian researchers and entrepreneurs to help combat this pandemic.
The bilateral Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum  administers all activities of the USISTEF program. Details of the Awardee projects can be accessed at www.iusstf.org
Ministry of Railways
Conversion of Coaches into Covid Care Units
In terms of Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines dated 01.05.2020 and based on requests from the State Governments, Indian Railways operated Shramik Special trains w.e.f. 01.05.2020. In order to gradually reintroduce passenger services, Indian Railways resumed passenger train operations by operating 15 pairs of special trains w.e.f. 12.05.2020 and by operating 100 pairs of trains w.e.f. 01.06.2020. Further, 43 pairs of special trains have been introduced w.e.f. 12.09.2020. At present, only special trains are being operated with limited stoppages, keeping in view the concerns and suggestions of the State Governments, to facilitate management of COVID-19 Pandemic protocol.
Indian Railways had converted 5231 Nos. of Non-AC ICF coaches into isolation coaches temporarily as COVID-19 isolation units during lockdown crisis. Zone wise status is as under:
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SN
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Zonal Railways
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Nos. of Coaches Converted into isolation coaches.
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1
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Central Railway
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482
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|
|
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2
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Eastern Railway
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380
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|
|
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3
|
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East Central Railway
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|
269
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|
|
|
4
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|
East Coast Railway
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261
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|
|
|
5
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|
Northern Railway
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540
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|
|
|
6
|
|
North Central Railway
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|
130
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|
|
|
7
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|
North Eastern Railway
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|
217
|
|
|
|
8
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|
Northeast Frontier Railway
|
|
315
|
|
|
|
9
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|
North Western Railway
|
|
266
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
Southern Railway
|
|
573
|
|
|
|
11
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|
South Central Railway
|
|
486
|
|
|
|
12
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|
South Eastern Railway
|
|
338
|
|
|
|
13
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|
South East Central Railway
|
|
111
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
South Western Railway
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
15
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|
Western Railway
|
|
410
|
|
|
|
16
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|
West Central Railway
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133
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|
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Total
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5231
As per their requisition, 813 coaches are provided to the State Governments as on 12.09.2020. Subject to their residual codal life, these coaches shall be restored to passenger services when the requirement of these coaches to serve as isolation centres is fulfilled.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Exchange Rates Notification No.76/2019 - Customs 
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 , and in supersession of the notification of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs No.72/2019-CUSTOMS , dated 3rd October, 2019 except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs hereby determines that the rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currencies specified in column  of each of Schedule I and Schedule II annexed hereto, into Indian currency or vice versa, shall, with effect from 18th October, 2019, be the rate mentioned against it in the corresponding entry in column  thereof, for the purpose of the said section, relating to imported and export goods.
SCHEDULE-I
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Sl.No.
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Foreign Currency
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Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
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|

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|
|
|

|
|

|
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|
|
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|

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|

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1.
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Australian Dollar
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49.65
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47.45
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2.
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Bahraini Dinar
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|
195.75
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|
183.60
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|
3.
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Canadian Dollar
|
|
55.10
|
|
53.15
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|
4.
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|
Chinese Yuan
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|
10.20
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|
9.90
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|
5.
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|
Danish Kroner
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|
10.80
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|
10.40
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|
6.
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EURO
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|
80.65
|
|
77.65
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|
7.
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|
Hong Kong Dollar
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|
9.30
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8.95
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|
8.
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|
Kuwaiti Dinar
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|
242.70
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|
227.65
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9.
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New Zealand Dollar
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46.25
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|
44.10
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|
10.
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Norwegian Kroner
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|
7.95
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|
7.65
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|
11.
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|
Pound Sterling
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|
93.25
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|
90.00
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|
12.
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Qatari Riyal
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20.25
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|
19.00
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|
13.
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Saudi Arabian Riyal
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|
19.65
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18.45
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|
14.
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|
Singapore Dollar
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|
53.15
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|
51.30
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|
15.
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South African Rand
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|
4.95
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|
4.65
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|
16.
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Swedish Kroner
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|
7.45
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|
7.20
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|
17.
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Swiss Franc
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|
73.35
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70.55
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|
18.
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Turkish Lira
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|
12.50
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|
11.75
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|
19.
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UAE Dirham
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|
20.10
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|
18.85
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|
20.
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|
US Dollar
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|
72.30
|
|
70.60
SCHEDULE-II
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Sl.No.
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Foreign Currency
|
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Rate of exchange of 100 units of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
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|

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|

|
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|
|
|
|

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1.
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Japanese Yen
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66.95
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|
64.45
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|
2.
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|
Korean Won
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|
6.20
|
|
5.85
President's Secretariat
Officer Trainees of Indian Foreign Service call on the President
A group of Officer Trainees of Indian Foreign Service  called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
Addressing the Officers Trainees, the President said that it is going to be all the more exciting as they are beginning their career in Foreign Service at a time when India has emerged on the world stage with a new self-confidence. The world, too, is looking at India with new admiration. The recent years have witnessed new initiatives in our bilateral and multilateral relations. In several global forums, India has made decisive interventions. India’s leadership in several fields has become unchallenged now. India also plays an important role in the developing South and as a frontline State in the fight against terrorism.
The President said that India’s stronger position comes on the basis of its economic performance, among other factors. While leading economies of the world are still trying to overcome the effects of the pandemic, India has stood up again and started to move on. As a result, India’s economy is registering one of the fastest growth rates. In fact, the global economic recovery, to an extent, rests on India. The other reason for India’s standing on the world stage is its ethos. Our relations with the rest of the world are governed by our age-old values. She said that the Indian Foreign Service offers them a unique opportunity to project India’s proud civilisation, heritage and culture, together with its developmental aspirations, to the rest of the world.
Referring to the changes taking place around the world, the President said that ongoing transformations on multiple fronts offer great opportunities as well as great challenges. New technologies give us hopes of better healthcare, for example, but they threaten existing business practices too. We can use technology to reach out to those on the margins. At the same time, technology also resets the security paradigm with new threats. As a nation, we have before us a chance to reset our choices.
The President said that it is amid this fast-changing world, with its opportunities and threats, the role of Indian Foreign Service Officers becomes critical – more so than ever before. Navigating through these difficult waters and ensuring the best for India and also for the world will test their intelligence. She expressed confidence that they will respond to the challenges of the future in the best possible manner, in the best interests of the fellow citizens.
Click here to see the President's Speech
Ministry of Mines
India Day Celebrations at PDAC-2023 in Toronto
India Day was celebrated at the PDAC-2023 convention in Toronto on Tuesday. The Secretary , Ministry of Mines , Shri Vivek Bhardwaj along with senior officials of the Ministry , Consulate General of India, Toronto, Canada and officials of the Ministry of Coal and C.I.I. attended the event.
Large gathering of prospective investors, mining experts and mineral explorers also attended the program. On this occasion Indian officials gave presentation on the mining opportunities in India, followed by a question answer session. Mines Secretary, Shri Vivek Bhardwaj also had one to one interaction with the dignitaries present on the occasion. Event has concluded with a small Holi celebrations and distribution of sweets and millet items brought from India as part of International Year of Millets initiative by the Government of India.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President urges schools, local bodies and NGOs to organise regular camps to train youngsters in CPR
Medical students should visit nearby schools & villages to spread awareness about CPR: Vice President
Timely Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation  can save many lives: Vice President
VP speaks at awareness programme on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation  in Vijayawada
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, today urged schools, local bodies, panchayats and NGOs to organise regular camps to train people in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation . He said that CPR training must be part of the high school or college curriculum so that more and more youngsters get acquainted with the life-saving procedure.
Speaking at an awareness programme conducted at Swarna Bharat Trust, Vijayawada, where a demonstration was given on CPR and the use of AED  by doctors from the Indian Resuscitation Council Federation , the Vice President stressed the importance of knowing these life saving techniques. Shri Naidu lauded IRCF for their efforts in imparting training in basic life support, comprehensive cardiac life support and paediatric advanced life support courses.
Shri Naidu called upon students from medical colleges to visit nearby schools and villages to spread awareness on CPR and the use of AED. Shri Naidu said that performing CPR in time can help in emergency situations where immediate medical help is not available.
Shri Naidu suggested that private institutions, apartment complexes and resident welfare associations must keep an AED device ready at hand and train their members with the technique of CPR. "If people know how to perform CPR, they can save many lives", he said.
Shri Mandali Buddha Prasad, former Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh, Dr Chadalavada Nageswara Rao, President, Siddhartha Academy, Shri S.C. Chakra Rao, Chairman of the Indian Resuscitation Council Federation, members of IRCF and other dignitaries were present.
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan to participate in G20 4th Education Working Group Meeting & Education Ministers’ Meeting in Bali
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will be participating in the G20 4th Education Working Group Meeting & Education Ministers’ Meeting in Bali.
The Minister said that he will be sharing India’s best practices towards building a more resilient, inclusive, equitable & sustainable future through education.
He will also be participating in bilateral meetings with his counterparts from G20 member states and also will present the priority themes identified by India for the next G20 EdWG Meeting to be held under India’s presidency.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadi Pariyojana
With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana  was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra  are opened to provide generic medicines at cheaper rates to the citizens of the country.
As on 28.02.2022, about 8689 PMBJKs have been opened up in the country covering all districts of the country. State/Union Territory-wise list of PMBJKs is enclosed as Annexure.
The Government has set a target to have about 10,500 PMBJKs by March 2025 across the country. The target for the year 2022-23 is to have about 9,300 PMBJKs across the country.
The details of the funds allocated and utilized under the Scheme for the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22 is as under:
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Sl. No.
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Financial Year
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Funds Allocated

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Funds Utilized

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1.
|
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2020-21
|
|
65.00
|
|
65.00
|
|
2.
|
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2021-22

|
|
64.65
|
|
60.08
There is no State/UT-wise specific budget allocated under the Scheme.
Annexure
|
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State/UT-wise list of PMBJKs opened across the country till 28.02.2022
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Sl. No.
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|
Name of the State/UT
|
|
Number of PMBJK functional
|
|
1
|
|
Andaman & Nicobar
|
|
9
|
|
2
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
168
|
|
3
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
28
|
|
4
|
|
Assam
|
|
89
|
|
5
|
|
Bihar
|
|
286
|
|
6
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
7
|
|
7
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
241
|
|
8
|
|
Delhi
|
|
383
|
|
9
|
|
Goa
|
|
10
|
|
10
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
522
|
|
11
|
|
Haryana
|
|
239
|
|
12
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
64
|
|
13
|
|
Jammu And Kashmir
|
|
126
|
|
14
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
78
|
|
15
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
967
|
|
16
|
|
Kerala
|
|
986
|
|
17
|
|
Ladakh
|
|
2
|
|
18
|
|
Lakshadeep|
|
0
|
|
19
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
244
|
|
20
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
630
|
|
21
|
|
Manipur
|
|
35
|
|
22
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
15
|
|
23
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
22
|
|
24
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
16
|
|
25
|
|
Odisha
|
|
354
|
|
26
|
|
Puducherry
|
|
19
|
|
27
|
|
Punjab
|
|
306
|
|
28
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
143
|
|
29
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
3
|
|
30
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
869
|
|
31
|
|
Telangana
|
|
163
|
|
32
|
|
DNH & D&D
|
|
37
|
|
33
|
|
Tripura
|
|
24
|
|
34
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
1193
|
|
35
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
217
|
|
36
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
194
|
|
Grand Total
|
|
8,689Medicines are directly supplied to the administration of UT of Lakshadweep.
The information was given by the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 15/03/2022.
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone Call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Charles Michel, President of the European Council
Prime Minister received a call today from H.E. Charles Michel, President of European Council.
Prime Minister warmly congratulated Mr. Michel on assumption of the office of the President of the European Council and conveyed best wishes for a successful tenure. Prime Minister expressed confidence that India-EU partnership will be further strengthened under the leadership of Mr. Michel.
Recalling his meeting with Mr. Michel in New York on the sidelines of UNGA earlier this year, PM mentioned that India was committed to making progress on issues of mutual interest, including BTIA, Connectivity Partnership, Europol, Euroatom, Counter Terrorism, Climate Change, etc.
Both the leaders agreed to hold the next India-EU Summit at an early opportunity next year in Brussels. Dates in this regard will be decided through diplomatic channels.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shri Vijay Sampla assumes charge of Chairman National Commission for Scheduled Castes  today
Shri Vijay Sampla assumedthe charge of Chairman National Commission for Scheduled Castes in New Delhi today. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment , Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar , Union Minister Shri Som Prakash , former Chairman of NCSC , BJP MP Hans Raj Hans and other members of Commission were also present on the occasion. Shri Vijay Sampla has been the former Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment from 2014-19.
After taking charge, Shri Vijay Sampla addressed the media and said that he will work incessantly to safeguard the interests and the rights of the Schedule Caste community. Shri Sampla added that the Commission will work not only to ensure justice to the SCs but will also remain pro-active to prevent any form of injustice to the Community. Giving further details, he said that the Commission will engage to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes and to prevent atrocities against them.
Shri Vijay Sampla served as Chairman, Punjab Dalit Vikas Parishad; state coordinator, AnusuchitJatiAarakshanBachaoManch and also as Chairman, Bharat Gaurav. He served as Chairman, Khadi and Village Indusries Board, Punjab from 2009-12 and subsequently his name was recommended for Rashtrapati Award.
He won the 2014 General Election from "Hoshiarpur" Constituency of Lok Sabha and was the Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment from 09th November, 2014 to 24th May 2019. Shri Sampla was actively involved in the upliftment and welfare of deprived classes of the society, especially for the Scheduled Castes. He assumed charge today after being appointed by the President of India as Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Government of India.
Ministry of Defence
Curtain raiser: INDO-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2018
As part of the ongoing Indo-US defence cooperation, a joint military training Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2018 is scheduled to be conducted in the foothills of Himalayas at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand from 16 September to 29 September 2018. This will be the 14th edition of the joint military exercise hosted alternately by both countries.
The joint exercise Yudh Abhyas 2018 will simulate a scenario where both nations will work together in counter insurgency and counter terrorism environment in mountainous terrain under United Nation charter. The two week exercise will witness participation of about 350 personnel of the US Army and similar strength of the Indian Army. The exercise curriculum is progressively planned where the participants are initially made to get familiar with each other’s organizational structure, weapons, equipment, confidence training and tactical drills. Subsequently, the training advances to joint tactical exercises wherein the battle drills of both the armies are coherently unleashed. The training will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both countries will jointly carry out an operation against terrorists in a fictitious but realistic setting.
Over the years the two countries have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of this joint exercise. Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2018 will witness a Division Headquarter based Command Post Exercise, an Infantry Battalion carrying out Field Training Exercise and discussions on issues of mutual interest by experts of both countries.
Both armies have vast experience in active counter insurgency & counter terrorism operations and sharing each other’s tactics & drills in such diverse environment is of immense value. The exercise is a great step for the armies of the two democratic countries to train together and gain together from each other’s rich operational experiences. The latest exercise will help further build interoperability between the forces of both the nations.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
(